The ice crew picks up waffles from the ice after a fan threw them to express their displeasure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, December 20, 2010.MARK BLINCH
The mystery of who flung the waffles is almost in hand.
Police have a suspect - and judging by the reaction from the Toronto Maple Leafs players on Tuesday, they wouldn't mind some time alone with the alleged Eggo Bomber.
"The guy's an idiot," winger Clarke MacArthur said. "It's not funny, whoever's doing that."
"It's just brutal," added teammate Luke Schenn. "It's one thing to have your fans booing you, but it's another for people to start throwing things on the ice."
"It's a free commercial for Eggo, that's what it is," Kris Versteeg said. "It's a stupid thing."
It's been that sort of month for the poor, pitiable Leafs, who were first accosted by the frozen breakfast treats on Dec. 9 after the final horn sounded in a 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
At the time, a 27-year-old construction worker named Jack M. told the Toronto Sun he was responsible.
Eleven nights later, with the Atlanta Thrashers in town and the Leafs trailing 5-1 with nine minutes left in Monday's game, a 30-something man in a Darcy Tucker jersey and a Santa hat heaved a box of a dozen Eggos over the glass during play, halting the game during a scoring chance for Toronto.
After raising his arms in triumph in the lower bowl, the perpetrator was led away by security.
"Anyone throwing objects on the ice will be removed from the building," an announcer intoned over the Air Canada Centre loudspeaker.
The next day, the Leafs captain didn't waffle when asked about the tossing.
"You're not allowed to do that in a game," Dion Phaneuf said. "That's why they made the announcement after. Stuff gets thrown on the ice in other buildings, too, and they warn the crowd not to.
"It's disappointing to be booed in our building, at home. I don't know what more you want me to say to that."
The waffle throwing has capped escalating fan outbursts at the ACC of late. With the Leafs slipping to third last in the NHL standings, the team has frequently been booed and chants of "Fire Wilson," directed at coach Ron Wilson, have been heard more than once.
The team is attempting to clamp down on the throwing of objects, however, amid fears they could affect the action on the ice or even harm players.
The Toronto police, meanwhile, charged 31-year-old Joseph Robb with mischief (interference with property). He has a court date on Jan. 27.
Robb has been banned from the Air Canada Centre for all events as well as other Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment events at BMO Field and the Ricoh Coliseum.